Earth
The following table and aerial views contain a brief, side by side comparison of the two planets Earth and Mars. For a more detailed discussion of the surface and atmosphere of Mars try the Exploratour of the Surface of Mars, and The Evolution of Mars.
A terrestrial alluvial fan formation showing water draining from the mountains.
Leave the tour and read more about terrestrial floodplains & drainage systems.
Click on image for full size (55K jpeg)
Image courtesy of C. Alexander
Earth
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Early Earth
- dense atmosphere with CO2 and other molecles
- water oceans
- volcanics & plate tectonics release more molecules
- Middle Earth
- life changes the content of the atmosphere to oxygen and nitrogen
- plate tectonics continue
- volatile venting & recycling
- Present Earth
- increased CO2 content in atmosphere
- climate changes with ice ages, etc.
- plate tectonics continue
- volatile venting & recycling
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A Viking image of the floodplain on which the Mars Pathfinder landed.
Leave the tour and read more about Viking or the expectations of the Mars Pathfinder mission.
Click on image for full size (55K jpeg)
Image courtesy of NASA
Mars
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Early Mars
- dense CO2 atmosphere, with some water on the ground
- volcanics & plate tectonics release more molecules
- Middle Mars
- plate tectonics & volcanics cease
- atmosphere begins to drift away
- Mars begins to freeze but experiences climate changes which release liquid water to the surface.
- Present Mars
- almost no atmosphere to speak of
- frozen ground
- very cold surface temperatures
- climate changes which potentially release liquid water to the surface.
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Read more about the slow build up of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere
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